Towards the goal with pace

Organisation

• Organise mini-matches of 2v2 on multiple pitches
• Let the players pick their own partners or match them up by size and ability
• Play short matches (2-3 minutes) and create a league ladder
• Winners move up a pitch, losers move down
• Points are scored by stopping the ball on the end line

Ways to make the exercise easier

• The players can throw and catch the ball to begin with

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Make the pitch narrower

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you try to dribble past your opponent(s)?
• How can you help your partner when he/she has the ball?
• What should you do when you lose the ball?

Safety tips

• Create safe zones between pitches

Organisation

• Organise a pitch for 3v2, with one central goal at one end and two smaller goals in wide positions at the other end
• The team with three players attacks the central goal, while the team with two players starts off defending; if they win the ball, the defenders can counter-attack and try to score in one of the smaller goals
• Rotate the teams on the pitch, and swap the roles regularly, so everyone gets to play as a three and as a two
• Encourage the three attackers to make the pitch big and try to use the extra player they have in space
• Encourage the two defenders to try to score quickly if they win the ball (e.g. within five seconds)

Ways to make the exercise easier

• The players can throw and catch the ball to begin with

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Add a goalkeeper to the central goal
• Limit the number of touches for the attacking team
• Require all three attacking players to touch the ball before their team can score

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you try to pass to the player who is unmarked?
• If the defenders win the ball, can you break and try to score quickly?
• If you lose the ball as a three, can you quickly recover and take up defensive positions?

Safety tips

• Create a safe space to play and rotate players to give them a rest

Organisation

• Organise a pitch for 4v3, with one central goal at one end and two smaller goals in wide positions at the other end
• The team with four players attacks the central goal, while the team with three players starts off defending; if they win the ball, the defenders can counter-attack and try to score in one of the smaller goals
• Rotate the teams on the pitch, and swap the roles regularly, so everyone gets to play as a four and as a three
• Encourage the four attackers to make the pitch big and try to use the extra player they have in space
• Encourage the three defenders to try to score quickly if they win the ball (e.g. within five seconds)

Ways to make the exercise easier

• The players can throw and catch the ball to begin with

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Add a goalkeeper to the central goal
• Limit the number of touches for the attacking team
• Require all four attacking players to touch the ball before their team can score

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you try to pass to the player who is unmarked? 
• If the defenders win the ball, can you break and try to score quickly? 
• If you lose the ball as a four, can you quickly recover and take up defensive positions? 
• How is the value of perseverance demonstrated in this game?

Safety tips

• Create a safe space to play and rotate players to give them a rest